Geosynthetic connection systems and methods for mechanically stablized earth walls

Abstract

A connection system for stabilizing an earth wall is disclosed. The system may include a geosynthetic loop assembly partially embedded within a concrete panel. The geosynthetic loop assembly may include a plurality of spaced apart geosynthetic loops that may be connected by at least one transverse geosynthetic strip. The geosynthetic loops are partially embedded within the concrete panel and partially extending from a front face of the concrete panel in generally aligned relationship. The system may also include a geosynthetic reinforcement web including a plurality of longitudinal geosynthetic strips and a plurality of transverse geosynthetic strips. The web may be folded to form a fold and the longitudinal strips adjacent the fold may be positioned adjacent the geosynthetic loops extending from the front face of the concrete panel in aligned relationship to form a passageway. The system may include a locking member disposed in the passageway to engage the geosynthetic loop assembly to the geosynthetic reinforcement web.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A connection system for stabilizing an earth wall comprising:
 a geosynthetic loop assembly partially embedded within a concrete panel, the geosynthetic loop assembly including a plurality of spaced apart geosynthetic loops, the spaced apart geosynthetic loops being connected by at least one transverse geosynthetic strip, the spaced apart geosynthetic loops being partially embedded within the concrete panel and partially extending from a front face of the concrete panel in generally aligned relationship; 
 a geosynthetic reinforcement web including a plurality of longitudinal geosynthetic strips and a plurality of transverse geosynthetic strips, the geosynthetic reinforcement web being folded to form a fold and the longitudinal strips adjacent the fold being positioned adjacent the geosynthetic loops extending from the front face of the concrete panel in aligned relationship to form a passageway; 
 a locking member disposed in the passageway to engage the geosynthetic loop assembly to the geosynthetic reinforcement web. 
 
     
     
       2. The connection system of  claim 1 , further including an internal connection member disposed within the concrete panel, and the geosynthetic loops disposed within the concrete panel being wrapped around the internal connection member. 
     
     
       3. The connection system of  claim 2 , wherein the internal connection member is a metal bar disposed horizontally within the concrete panel. 
     
     
       4. The connection system of  claim 2 , further including a plurality of generally vertical metal reinforcement bars disposed within the concrete panel between the internal connection member and the front face of the concrete panel. 
     
     
       5. The connection system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member is comprised of one of steel, plastic and fiberglass. 
     
     
       6. The connection system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member is a rod having a diameter of approximately one inch. 
     
     
       7. The connection system of  claim 1 , wherein the geosynthetic loops are connected by staples. 
     
     
       8. The connection system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the staples is within the concrete panel. 
     
     
       9. The connection system of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the staples is outside of the concrete panel. 
     
     
       10. An earth wall comprising:
 a plurality of concrete panels, each concrete panel including a plurality of geosynthetic loop assemblies; 
 each geosynthetic loop assembly including a plurality of geosynthetic loops arranged in spaced apart and aligned relationship, the geosynthetic loops being partially embedded within one of the plurality of concrete panels and partially extending from the one of the plurality of concrete panels; 
 a plurality of geosynthetic reinforcement webs, each geosynthetic reinforcement web including a plurality of longitudinal geosynthetic strips and a plurality of transverse geosynthetic strips, each geosynthetic reinforcement web being folded to form a fold positioned in interlocking relationship with the geosynthetic loops on a corresponding one of the geosynthetic loop assemblies, the fold and the aligned loops forming a passageway; and 
 a plurality of locking members, each locking member disposed in one of the passageways formed by corresponding geosynthetic loop assemblies and geosynthetic reinforcement webs. 
 
     
     
       11. The earth wall of  claim 10 , wherein each concrete panel includes an internal connection member disposed therein and corresponding to one of the plurality of geosynthetic loop assemblies, the geosynthetic loops corresponding to said one of the plurality of geosynthetic loop assemblies being wrapped around the corresponding internal connection member. 
     
     
       12. The connection system of  claim 11 , wherein each internal connection member is a metal bar disposed horizontally within one of the concrete panels. 
     
     
       13. The connection system of  claim 12 , wherein each concrete panel further includes a plurality of generally vertical metal reinforcement bars disposed within each concrete panel between the corresponding internal connection member and a front face of the concrete panel. 
     
     
       14. The connection system of  claim 10 , wherein each locking member is comprised of one of steel, plastic and fiberglass. 
     
     
       15. The connection system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the locking members is a rod having a diameter of approximately one inch. 
     
     
       16. The connection system of  claim 10 , wherein the geosynthetic loops are connected by staples. 
     
     
       17. The connection system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the staples is within one of the concrete panels. 
     
     
       18. The connection system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the staples is outside of one of the concrete panels.